Touring Report

May 17,
Cebu∼Tacloban

After last night's welcoming party, the ASEAN riders gathered this morning at 5:45 a.m. The reason for the much earlier than usual start was the time of the ferry departure. And, although only about half of the riders were in the restaurant for the 5:00 a.m. breakfast, everyone was there in the parking lot at 5:30 in front of the line of T135 machines ready to ride. The touring leader, Lester Dizon, led the riders in their warm-up exercises. It has become a familiar sight on the tour so far to see someone mimic the tighter riders during the stretching exercises. After the stretches, everyone gravitated toward the center to form a circle and give the "Safety First!" cry that has become another morning ritual throughout the PAN-ASEAN TOURING. This is invariably followed by a chorused shout of "Yamaha!" after which the riders begin preparations to depart. On this Philippine leg of the tour there is a celebrity joining the riders: The famous actor Gary Jason Estrada, who has joined because he is a Yamaha owner in private life.
At 6:00 a.m. the flag-off ceremony to start the riders on their way was held, with YMAC President Kobayashi and Norkis President Luis B. Quismbing as the flag wavers. This marked the start of the last leg of the PAN-ASEAN TOURING event through its sixth country, the Philippines. Despite the early hour there was already plenty of traffic on the road, but the touring caravan made smooth progress through town led by two motorcycle police and a patrol car. The tour arrived at the ferry landing in Danao City at 7:30. From here we would leave Cebu Island for Leyte Island. It was a three-hour boat ride to the port of Isabel on Leyte. Some of the riders ate breakfast from the lunch boxes that had been prepared and others napped during the crossing. The sea was calm and some of the riders delighted to see a school of dolphins breaking water in the distance. Arriving in Isabel, the riders received a lively welcome from a music group named Tres Hybrid and the members of the Club Yamaha Ormoc from the neighboring town of Ormoc.
The PAN-ASEAN TOURING caravan joined with the club member to tour to Ormoc, where everyone stopped at a restaurant for lunch. After lunch we said goodbye to the club members and rode off into the hills on winding roads lined with palm groves. Rain fell on us along the way but we kept on riding and in about two hours we arrived at the town of Tacloban. We made a stop at the Norkis branch office here. When some local women recognized our celebrity rider, Gary, there was a big to-do with lots of photo snapping. Everyone on the street stopped for a look and before we knew it a group of children had gathered around him. It showed us just how famous he is here in the Philippines. Amidst this excitement we pressed on to the Plaza Rizal where a welcoming ceremony was awaiting us. There, we were welcomed by the beautiful children of the Kaliawan Performing Arts Group, who performed traditional Philippine dances for us. The ceremony was attended by the local congressman, Mr. Alfred Romualdez, who made a welcoming speech and joined with the ASEAN riders for photographs.
After the ceremony, our caravan moved on to our hotel. Everyone successfully finished the first day of touring.

Cebu∼Tacloban

The pre-start circle cheer has become a tradition on the PAN-ASEAN TOURING and it is continued here on the Philippine leg. Despite the early (6:00 a.m.) hour, everyone is full of enthusiasm

Riding is a joy on the winding roads between Isabel and Ormoc

Actor Gary is popular everywhere and he is happy to pose for photographs with local fans

The children of the Kaliawan Performing Arts Group performed a Tinikling traditional dance. Everyone applauded for the quick movements and smiling faces of the performers

After the welcoming ceremony, the ASEAN riders gathered for a photo with local congressman Alfred Romualdez